Reciprocating razor



July 12, 1955 c. P. POND 2,712,691

RECIPROCATING RAZOR INVENTOR United States Patent O 2,712,691 RECPRGCA'I'ING RAZOR Clarke P. Pond, Philadelphia, Pa. Application .lune 17, 1952, Serial No. 293,960 4 Claims. (Cl. .3B- 46) The present invention relates to safetyrazors, particularly of the type in which a blade is reciprocated by rollers as the razor operates.

A purpose of the invention is to provide a more eiicient roller propelled mechanical movement in reciprocating razors.

A further purpose is to avoid skidding and lateral slippage by a reciprocating razor.

A further purpose is to secure substantially continnous reciprocation of a razor blade without appreciable gaps or interruptions in operation.

A further purpose is to increase the average speed of blade reciprocation.

A further purpose is to reduce the over-all weight of a reciprocating razor.

A further purpose is to increase the serviceability of a reciprocating razor by reducing the wear. v

A further purpose is to make a reciprocating razor at lower cost.

A further purpose is to reciprocate a razor blade by dual cams at the same end of each roller, and to provide double followers which substantially continuously engage both cams on each roller, thus simplifying the mechanism and avoiding duplications in levers.

A further purpose is to improve the average lit of the followers with respect to the cams by employing angular faced cams instead of faces that are ninety degrees from the roller axial line.

A further purpose is to employ a simplified guide at the end of the rollers remote from the cams.

A further purpose is to make the rollers preferably of plastic molda'ole in a single operation, avoid machining, and eliminate diicult and expensive machining operations, while at the same time reducing the weight.

A further purpose is to obtain a higher ratio of blade osc' ation to roller movement by making the rollers of nylon which gives a good grip on the skin of the user both with respect to turning the rollers and preventing lateral slippage, while at the same time reducing the friction and wear on the cams and the followers.

Further purposes appear in the specilcation and in the claims.

In the drawings l have chosen to illustrate a few only of the numerous embodiments in which my invention may appear, selecting the forms shown from the standpoints of convenience in illustration, satisfactory operation and clear demonstration of the principles involved.'

Figure l is a plan section of the razor of the invention taken axially through the rollers beneath the oscillator, blade and guard, the follower lever being in contact with the high points of both cams on each roller and the oscillator being at one end of its stroke, as shown in dotand-dash lines.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view corresponding to Figure 1, with the follower lever at the high points of the cams on one roller and the low points of the cams on the opposite roller.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional plan similar to Fig.

2,712,691 Patented July 12, 1955 ures 1 and 2, showing the follower lever near the high point of the cams on one roller and near the low point of the cams on the other roller.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional plan view similar to Figures l to 3, with the follower lever at the opposite position from that of Figure 2, and the oscillator at the opposite end of its stroke.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section showing the engagement of the followers with the cams, and showing the contour on the followers.

Figure 6 is a section through the followers of Figure 5 on the line 6 6.

Figure 7 is a section through the followers of Figure 5 on the line 7-7.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective of the frame, follower lever and oscillator at one end of the razor.

Figure 9 is an enlarged axial section of the roller of the invention, corresponding to a section on the line 9 9 of Figure ll.

Figure l0 is a left end elevation of Figure 9.

Figure ll is an enlarged section on the line 11-11 of Figure 9.

Figure lla is a developed plan View of the circumferential surface of a roller near one end showing the path of the cams and the zigzag grooves.

Figure l2 is a fragmentary perspective of the end of a variant form of follower lever of the invention.

ln the prior art there has been an extensive development of razors in which the cutting is improved by reciprocation of the blade through the turning of a roller engaging the skin of the user. The present invention is an improvement in razors of this character, and in particular of a razor of the character of Van Slyke U. S. Patent 2,355,830, granted August l5, 1944, for Reciprocating Safety Razor. For convenience in illustration, it will be understood that the drawings of the present invention omit features such as the guard, the mounting of the blade on the oscillator and the handle, which are well shown in Van Slyke, and to which the reader is referred for such features.

One of the diculties encountered in prior art reciprocating razors has been the comparative complexity, and consequent high cost. In accordance with the present invention, it has been found possible to simplify the struc ture, placing both cams on a particular roller at one end so as to use opposite faces of a V cam groove, and irnproving the construction of the follower so that interruptions in reciprocation which have been common in prior art devices are avoided, while the average speed of reciprocation of the blade is increased.

It has also been possible by the present invention to employ the existing Van Slyke construction at the end remote from the cams as a guide rather than a cam construction, thus permitting utilizing components manufactured for the Van Slyke form.

Since in accordance with the invention the followers are designed to engage opposed cam faces of the V cams at all times, there is much less likelihood than in the prior art of lost motion or play even after considerable use.

The resilience of nylon makes it than causing wear at cam t tightly.

I further find that the cost of producing the rollers can be greatly reduced by employing molded rollers of any suitable material, preferably nylon. At the same time such plastic material greatly reduces the weight of the razor.

Nylon compared to the metal previously used forv the rollers presents a favorable average temperature and a surface for the massaging of the skin which is one of the advantages of the razor of this invention.

yield and polish rather points at which the follower and metal.

. 28 which is received in the corresponding firmV grip against the skin of the user,

lt should also be noted that in the prior art construction one of the features most likely to cause maintenance diiculties has been wearing of the follower surfaces against the cam. Nylon is a particularly advantageous material from Vthe standpoint of low abrasion and wear against metal such as steel, stainless steel, brass and bronze, so that using nylon rollers there is less likelihood of wear at the followers. I Y

The feature of low wear by nylon is also advantageous as reducing the likelihood of wearing at the bearings on which the rollers turn, and avoiding the possibility of binding due to corrosion.

Considering nowthe form of Figures l to lla, particularly,rthe razorrof the invention comprises a` suitably metallic frame having a longitudinalchannel shaped portion 21 consisting of abase 22 and side arms 23 which are spaced from one another and parallel. The razor handle 24 extends from the center of the base of the frame as seen in Figure l and is secured thereto in any suitable way.

At the ends of the frame suitably metallic bearing members 25 extend transversely of the channel member 2,1, being secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by welding, fastening by ears, or bending from integral sheet The bearing members 25 extend beyond the channel member and carry bearings 26 (in pairs) at their opposite ends.

The bearings 26 rotatably support rollers 27 which extend from end to end of the razor in spaced relation, generally parallel and in position to be engagedby the skin of the user beyond the edgey of the 'blade as indi: cated in the Van Slyke patent above referred to. Each of the rollers has at each end a hub or bearing extension bearing.

YWhile for some purposes the rollers may metal such as brass, bronze, aluminum alloy, "magnesium alloy, stainless steel or the like, it is'decidedly preferable to make the rollers from plastic, and'most desirable to use nylon. Other plastics beside nylon may less desirably be used, such as phenol-formaldehyde, urea-formaldehyde, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, rubber, and synthetic rubber.

Nylon, however, has the advantages and good antifriction properties against metal. Y

The rollers on 'their circumferential surface are provided with zigzag grooves 30, preferably of V shape, as shown, and having points of inflection 31 at intervals to reverse the angularity. The reduce the possibility of lateral slippage of the razor.

The lands between the grooves have axially extending knurling ribs 32 spacedby axially yextending grooves 33 whichprotect against slippage of the roller circumferentially.

Near one end each roller has cams 34 and 35 forming opposite sides of a V in cross section extending around the roller in a zigzag path, as best seen in Figure lla, with points Vof inflection at 36. Therangles of the cams 34 and 35 are substantially less than 90 with respect to thel roller, axes, assuring a goed approachv to jthe followers. Y

In order to avoid lost motion at Vthe points of inection, the cam making the convex inllection is sharp at 37 and the opposed cam making the concave inflection is gradually curved at 38. It will be understood that the Y throw, pitch and section of the cams can be -varied without departing from the principles of the invention.

The side arms 23 of the channel-shaped portionzl of the frame are longitudinally slotted` at 40 from each end, as best seen in Figure guideways for a follower lever 41 which is placed `at the end of the razor at which all cams are located. The follower'lever ,has at opposite ends convexly curved fol-y lowers 42, each of which constantly engages one of theV cams 34 or 35 of each roller. The curved surfaces of be made of grooves serve to further 8, and these slots provide of great strength,

.the earns is conveniently lower revolving around the axis.

4 the followers 42 are circular on a center at the middle of the cross section (Figures 6 and 7) in the preferred embodiment. This gives a favorable approach to the cams. The followers together approximately join in a point at 43 so that the followers protrude into the V cam, but remain free from engagement at the base of the YV of the cam in most positions.r Since the cams are at, the followers engagev both cams of each roller regardless of the angularity of the follower lever, as will be evident from Figures l to-5 which show the follower lever in engagement with both cams in various positions.

The followers are lleted at 44 on the approach and receding edges so as to smooth out the variation in motion at points of inection of the cams. Due to the resilience of the nylon, the nylon will deflect slightly without abrading at points at which it hugs the followers too close.

An oscillator 45 extends across the guiding edgesv 46 of the frame and is ythus guided for reciprocation by the channel portion of the frame. The oscillator mounts a razor blade in the manner shown in the Van Slyke patent, and is provided with lugs- 47 at the corners to engage notches at the corner of the blade, bosses 48 near opposite ends to engage recesses in the blade, and the usual central clamping means of the Van Slyke patent, not shown.;

A VAt the opposite ends the oscillator,` has suitably formed integrally therefrom a tongue 50 which extends between the sides of the channel portion of the frame, and is bent toward the end in a direction longitudinal of the oscillatorto form a pivot-supporting tab 51 (Figure 8) extending along the side of the follower lever 41 remote from theguiding surfaces 46. A pivot boss 52 on the tab 51.pivots thefollower lever intermediate its ends Vand suitably at mid position. It is not required that the pivot 52 be integral.

The construction at the end of the razor remote from made to partially duplicate the construction at the cam end so as to avoid the necessity ,of making special components. With this purpose in view the rollers at the ends 'remote from the cams are cut out on a'path 53 which will avoid interference with a guide lever 41'- which is actually identical with thefollower, in the-preferred embodiment, and pivoted to a tab 51 at a pivotal boss 52 identical with the similar construction at Vthe cam end.

In the preferred embodiment it is desirable tov employ a follower lever 412, as shown in Figure l2, which has opposed conoidal followers 42 cross section conform to the followers 42, but are convex surfaces of revolution generated by the curve of the folvantageous approach surfaces 44' are secured to operate at the points of inflection. The follower lever 412 is suitably made up of components, joined together as by ears V413.

ln operation, the razor when assembled is used inY a tmanner similar to thatof the prior art, the roller and the blade at one edge simultaneously engaging the skin of the user, while the roller at the other end in effect pivots the 'follower lever after the manner of a xed pivot and the pivotal boss 52 with the oscillator acts as a moving pivot. The followersLareV always in engagement with the op-` posed faces of the V camsat both ends of the follower levers, and there is not appreciable lost motion. A good average tit to the cams is maintained in all positions, which avoids interruptions in reciprccation and secures a higher average blade speed. Y

The oscillator is guided as it movesback and forth .by the guiding surfaces 46 on the frame and by thevr guiding Vof the follower lever at one end and the duplicate, guide at Ythe other end. Y Y

Wear between' the cams and the followers is very slight and long life of the razor is secured.

' The Ylightness of the nylon rollers permitsithe userto which in longitudinalY By this means more adshave with greater comfort, while the texture of the rollers and the more agreeable temperature makes them pleasant in engagement with the skin, At the same time the combination of the grip of the material on the skin and the zigzag grooves with the longitudinal knurling or ribs provides both against skidding and side slip.

Due to the fact that the roller can be produced by molding, according to the procedure described in my copending application for Molding of Toothed Objects Serial No. 301,870, filed July 3l, 1952, the cost of rn-ttchining the rollers and the need for ditlicult and expensive machining operations are avoided.

The cross sections of the longitudinal grooves or teeth in most cases involve angularly disposed sides 54 and llat bottoms 55, with narrow skin-engaging portions 55 provided with lands and grooves. At points in the mold, lio'-.vever, as explained in my copending application, the angles or" the sides 57 are wider, and the sides merge in a sharp trough, having no flat bottom 55. As explained parting lines in the circumlerence and place the parting the sharp grooves so that no flash is present which can form a rough edge against the skin.

in view of my invention and disclosure variations and modications to meet individual whim or particular need will doubtless become evident to others skilled in the art, to obtain all or part of the benefits of my invention without copying the structure shown, and I therefore claim all such insofar as they fall within the reasonable spirit and scope of my claims.

Having thus described my invention, what new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. ln a razor, a frame, a pair of spaced generally parallel rollers rotatably mounted on the frame and adapted to selectively engage the skin of the user during shaving, opposed V cams on the same end of each roller extending around each roller and deflecting longitudinally, the cams undergoing a plurality of reversals in each circumference, longitudinal guide means on the body adjacent to the cams, a lever guided in the guirr means and having opposed cam followers on opposite ends, each of the cam followers being convexly curved on each follower face, each of the cam followers substantiaHy continuously engaging one of the opposeel cams on each roller, and at the exact limit of travel zf the lever when the follower leaves Contact with one cam face at the point of reversal, the follower having contact established with the opposite cam face on the same roller, an oscillator reciprocable endwise of the razor and adapted to hold a blade, means on the frame guiv ing the oscillator and a pivotal interconnection between a mid-point of the lever and the oscillator.

2. ln a razor, a frame, spaced generally parallel rollers rotatably monnted in the frame and adapted to selectively engage the skin of the user, opposed V cams near tl:` same end of each roller, the V cams extending cornpletely around each roller, dellecting longitudinally and having a zigzag form in development, with a plurality of reversals, the V cams having comparatively sharp edges on convex points of inection and more gradually curved edges on concaved points of inflection, longitudinal guide means on the frame, a follower lever in l claim as the guide means having opposed followers at the opposite ends provided with convex surfaces maintaining constant engagement with the opposite V cams of each roller, the follower at the exact limit of stroke in one direction when it is undergoing reversal, engaging the opposite cam track by the time it leaves Contact with the cam track that it has been following, an oscillator reciprocable from end to end of the frame and adapted to support a razor blade, means on the frame for guiding the oscillator, and a pivotal interconnection between the follower lever intermediate between its ends and the oscillator.

3. ln a razor, a frame, spaced generallyy parallel rollers rotatably mounted in the frame and adapted to selectively engage the skin of the user, opposed V-shaped cams near the same end of each roller, the V-shaped cams extending completely around each roller, dellecting longitudinally and having a zigzag form in development, the cams making an angle of less than 90 in respect to the roller axis, the V cams having comparatively sharp edges on convex points of inection and more gradually curved edges on concave points of inection, longitudinal guide means on the frame, a follower lever in the guide means having opposed followers at the opposite ends provided with convex surfaces, maintaining constant engagement with the opposite V cams of each roller, at the exact limit of travel in one direction the follower engaging the opposite cam track on a particular roller at least the time it leaves the track it has been following, an oscillator reciprocable from end to end of the frame and adapted to support a razor blade, means on the frame for guiding the oscillator and a pivotal interconnection between the follower lever intermediate between its ends and the oscillator.

4. In a razor, a frame, a pair of spaced generally parallel nylon rollers rotatably mounted on the frame, opposed V-shaped cams near the same end of each roller, extending around each roller and dellecting end wise, longitudinal guide means on the frame and adjoining the end of the rollers at which the cams are lo cated, a lever having opposed convex followers at each end, each of the followers substantially continuously engaging one of the cams and at the moment of reversal at the limit of travel in one direction the lever engaging the opposite cam track on the particular roller at least by the time it leaves the earn track which it has been following, the lever reciprocating in the guide means, an oscillator reciprocable endwise and adapted to support a razor blade, guide means on the frame for guiding the oscillator in reciprocation, and a pivot interconnection between an intermediate point of the lever and the oscillator.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNETED STATES PATENTS 

